Summary
Hi-Way (1975): The Granddaddy of Racing Games
Released in 1975, Hi-Way was Atari’s first game to use a cockpit cabinet, and it’s widely considered to be one of the first true racing games. The goal of the game is simple: drive your car down the road, dodging other cars and obstacles. But as you progress, the game gets faster and more challenging, making it a real test of your reflexes and reaction time.
Hi-Way was a groundbreaking game for its time. It was one of the first games to use vector graphics, which gave it a sleek and futuristic look. The cockpit cabinet also helped to immerse players in the game, making them feel like they were actually behind the wheel of a race car.
The gameplay in Hi-Way is simple but addictive. You control your car with a steering wheel and gas pedal, and you must avoid crashing into other cars or running off the road. The game gets progressively faster as you progress, and the obstacles become more challenging.
One of the things that makes Hi-Way so fun is its simplicity. There are no power-ups or special weapons to worry about, just you and your car against the clock. This makes the game easy to pick up and play, but difficult to master.
Hi-Way was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Atari as a major player in the video game industry. The game has been ported to numerous platforms over the years, and it remains a popular choice for retro gamers today.
Gameplay
The goal of Hi-Way is to drive your car down the road as far as possible without crashing. You control your car with a steering wheel and gas pedal, and you must avoid crashing into other cars or running off the road.
The game gets progressively faster as you progress, and the obstacles become more challenging. You’ll encounter other cars, trucks, buses, and even pedestrians, and you’ll have to navigate through narrow roads and construction zones.
If you crash into another car or obstacle, your car will be destroyed and you’ll have to start over. However, you can earn extra lives by collecting fuel cans that are scattered along the road.
Graphics and Sound
Hi-Way was one of the first games to use vector graphics, which gave it a sleek and futuristic look. The game’s graphics are simple but effective, and they do a good job of conveying the sense of speed and danger.
The sound in Hi-Way is minimal, but it’s effective. The game’s engine roar and the screech of tires help to create a sense of immersion, and the crash sound is suitably jarring.
Legacy
Hi-Way was a groundbreaking game for its time, and it helped to establish Atari as a major player in the video game industry. The game’s simple but addictive gameplay has stood the test of time, and it remains a popular choice for retro gamers today.
Hi-Way has been ported to numerous platforms over the years, including the Atari 2600, the Commodore 64, and the Nintendo Entertainment System. The game has also been included in several retro game compilations.
In 2010, Hi-Way was inducted into the World Video Game Hall of Fame. This prestigious award recognizes the game’s historical significance and its impact on the video game industry.
Conclusion
Hi-Way is a classic racing game that’s still fun to play today. Its simple but addictive gameplay, sleek graphics, and immersive cockpit cabinet make it a must-play for any fan of retro games.
Review Score
8/10
Art
Cover Art
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